Oh...damn... &@!$%@@ *whimpers* help? (UPDATE)

[Heretik]

Don't feel TOO bad. I've built probably about 30-40 rigs over the last 5 years. Probably about the 13th or so computer I built, I put the CPU in, and installed the heatsink. In my rush to get it done, I didn't notice that a very small piece of broken circuit board (another story alltogether) got wedged between the heatsink and core. Needless to say, there was a strange smell, puff of smoke, and the computer up and died. Pulled out the CPU and it was a post-toastie.

I assume you tried RAM in different slots? It may be possible you burned out the RAM controller or something. Replacing RAM and/or motherboard, as suggested above, should do the trick.

Good Luck!

 

[Insidious]

I'm guessing it was inserted at an angle which allowed a short circuit when the wrong conductors touched the wrong things.

I would be really surprised if you lost anything besides the RAM and the MoBo.

Unless it was really a poor quality PSU, it should have protected itself. Might have blown a fuse internal... you'd have to inspect
to know for sure. (inspect => measure fuse with ohmmeter... should be 0. 'OL' => it is blown.

I can't really think of any path in this case to have damaged your CPU, Drives, or PCI cards though.

-Sid

PS: don't be too discouraged..... no tech. worth his weight in dog poopie has not made some similar mistakes as they learned. Call anyone who tells you otherwise a liar (or have no experience beyond HeathKit).

 

[CedarTeeth135]

I had a similiar problem while making my friend a new computer.

Try making sure that the HSF is properly installed, and that it is actually touching the CPU, it just sounds like ure computer is shutting off, trying to prevent it from overheating.

Good luck.

 

[lumen]

UPDATE:

Well my friend and I cleared the cmos and restarted, nothing but the fans and the mobo post code indicator kicked on, after a closer look at the DIMM slot the RAM was in at the time you can clearly see the damage... so basically I've got to buy a new motherboard. I just hope that's ALL I need to replace (since I already have a backup stick of RAM already)

 

[Chaotic42]

Did you try the RAM in one of the other slots?

 

[lumen]

Yeah I tried the RAM in both other slots, no go...

As I said though I'm just praying it's JUST the motherboard, I guess I won't know until I have everything hooked up with the new mobo... Maybe I'm being paranoid but I've got this seeking feeling something else got damaged... but I guess I won't know until I try it.

 

[thorin]

Did you try your RAM and/or CPU in your friend's machine?

Thorin

 

[lumen]

Nope, didn't try that... but I sure will if I get the new mobo and it doesn't work... I don't see why it would go past the motherboard anyway.

 

[thorin]

So what's the latest?

Thorin

 

[mjolnir2k]

Man it's such a drag to have cr@p like this happen when you are on the virge of completing your project.

From the sounds of things I would guess new MoBo and you are good to go (you mentioned you already had a spare stick of RAM). It is doubtful that your CPU or peripherals took any hit. The puff of smoke you saw was probably from your RAM slot cooking.

Don't be discouraged. As others here have mentioned, we ALL have made mistakes in building our computers. That's how we learn.

ps. yup, ask me what happened to my first kt133 MoBo....let's just say there were pretty sparks
Or about the time I installed my new plexiglass side panel and shot a huge bolt of static electricity into my case....EVERYTHING shut down on that one...

Live and learn!

 

[lumen]

UPDATE:

Welp, got the new mobo yesterday, so last night my buddy and I began reinstalling everything, we got everything all hooked up and after a nod to the gods I pushed the power button... it comes alive... then... shuts down of it's own accord...

I begin hyperventilating...

So we figure out one of the case fans wasn't hooked to power correctly...alright.. let's try this again... we get all the way to BIOS, where my friend starts making the proper adjustments to the BIOS... setting the multiplier...etc... alright, looking good... so we go to flash the BIOS to the latest version to get it out of the way.... restart... immediate shut down, loud beeping...

I go into convulsions...

As it turns out, he set the multiplier wrong.. which was a big no-no... in the directions to flash one's BIOS it clearly reads: DO NOT attempt to flash your BIOS if your processor is overclocked... which it was...accidently... goodbye BIOS... luckily.. we had the old mobo's BIOS chip... my friend at this point is apologizing like he just killed my mother... we get that all hooked up and ....ahhhhh... sweet success... to make a long story short... DO NOT EVER... EVER! rush through anything with your computer.. I made that mistake twice, once installing the RAM in the first place... the second time rishing to flash the BIOS without making sure everything was working okay first...


Everything looks good now... with the possible exception of my psu fan, which according to the startup screen isn't rotating fast enough, I'll have to look into that one... I'm just glad the damn thing is working.... live and learn.

 

[Wiktor]

Omg, you got me scared there, for a second I was sure you destoyed 2 mother boards Well, better luck next time, congratulations

 

[lumen]

yeah and Epox is even taking back the one I fried, they said they'd give me a replacement, no questions asked, so I'm not out for so much moola either... could have been worse.

on a sidenote, sheesh some people are a-holes, you wouldnt believe the pm's and little cracks people have been taking at me for making a mistake and actually asking for help... at least I can say they haven't completely rebuilt a '76 camaro top to bottom totally solo... ha!

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: lumen
yeah and Epox is even taking back the one I fried, they said they'd give me a replacement, no questions asked, so I'm not out for so much moola either... could have been worse.

on a sidenote, sheesh some people are a-holes, you wouldnt believe the pm's and little cracks people have been taking at me for making a mistake and actually asking for help... at least I can say they haven't completely rebuilt a '76 camaro top to bottom totally solo... ha!

you did the subframe as well..?

 

[LordMorpheus]

My friend built a computer over the summer(as did I, but I have no fun stories) and upon completion he plugged in and turned on. smoke and flames out of PSU, almost everything of consequence dead. Problem? the wall outlet. He did everything right but it still blew up in his face. well, not everything, shoulda used a surge protector. He got it all back and is running fine by now, tho.